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    Breakthrough Junior Challenge

    by Breakthrough Junior Challenge

    Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a science communication contest where students explain a physics, life sciences or maths idea in a short original video.

    Last verified: 3 Jul 2026Reviewed by:Succeed Editorial
    Breakthrough Junior Challenge

    Key facts

    Current status

    Open now

    Eligibility

    Individual students

    Age range / Year group

    13-18

    Location / Region

    Global, online

    Cost

    Free

    Prize highlight

    $250,000 scholarship

    Entry format

    2-minute science video

    Next deadline

    15 September 2026

    Save deadline

    TL;DR

    Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a science communication competition built around explaining a big idea in physics, mathematics or life sciences through video.

    Entrants choose a challenging theory, concept or principle and make it clear, engaging and imaginative for a broad audience.

    It suits students who enjoy STEM, visual storytelling and peer review, especially those who can turn complex material into a concise explanation.

    What is the Breakthrough Junior Challenge?

    The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global science video competition for high-school students. Organised by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, it asks entrants to communicate an important idea in physics, life sciences or mathematics in a way that is clear, engaging and imaginative.

    In practice, students select a challenging concept, build a short original video around it, and submit it through the Challenge application process. Videos can use animation, demonstrations, simulations, documentary style or other creative formats, but they are judged on whether they genuinely illuminate the science.

    Why Succeed highlights this

    • It asks students to teach a demanding STEM idea clearly, which tests depth of understanding rather than memorised knowledge.

    • The format rewards creativity as well as accuracy, from animation and simulations to demonstrations or documentary approaches.

    • Entrants complete peer review, so the experience includes evaluating other science explanations as well as producing their own.

    • Judging combines peer scoring, expert evaluation, verification and selection-committee review, giving the contest a structured assessment pathway.

    Who should consider this?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy explaining science visually and can turn a difficult STEM idea into a short, accurate story for a general audience.

    Not ideal if

    You prefer written-only competitions, want to submit as a team, or are not ready to manage filming, editing and peer review alongside the application.

    Is it worth it?

    For a STEM-focused student, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge can be worth serious effort because it demands both subject understanding and public explanation. A strong entry gives you a concrete piece of science communication work, not just a line on an activities list.

    The limitation is that it is highly competitive and production-heavy. If you cannot make the concept clear in two minutes, or if video work will crowd out academic priorities, a research essay or smaller science communication project may be a better use of time.

    Effort and preparation

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    At least 6-8 weeks before the submission deadline.

    Main challenge

    Making a difficult concept accurate, original and visually clear in two minutes.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a concept that is hard enough to satisfy the difficulty criterion but focused enough for a short video.

    • Storyboard the explanation before filming so every visual serves illumination rather than decoration.

    • Test the script on someone outside the topic and revise anything they cannot explain back.

    • Leave time after submission for the required peer-to-peer reviews.

    Useful if

    You want to show STEM curiosity, communication and independent creative work.

    What you actually do

    You create a concise science explainer video, submit it with an online application, and then take part in peer review as part of the Challenge process.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Sign up for a Breakthrough Junior Challenge account.

    2. 2

      Complete your profile and application details.

    3. 3

      Choose a theory, concept or principle in physics, life sciences or mathematics.

    4. 4

      Create an original video that explains the idea clearly and creatively.

    5. 5

      Upload the video and submit the completed application.

    6. 6

      Review and score at least five peer submissions after applications are distributed.

    7. 7

      If shortlisted, your entry can move through administrative review, expert evaluation, finalist verification and public voting.

    Key dates and deadlines

    Applications open

    11 May 2026

    Applications are taken from this date.

    Past

    Submission deadline

    15 September 2026

    Application and video due by 11:59 PM PDT.

    Upcoming
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    Peer review

    17-30 September 2026

    At least five peer reviews due by 30 September.

    Upcoming
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    Administrative review

    1-3 October 2026

    Top submissions are checked for compliance.

    Upcoming
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    Evaluation review

    4-25 October 2026

    Evaluation Panel scores the top 75 submissions.

    Upcoming
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    Finalist verification

    26 October-18 November 2026

    Up to 30 submissions are reviewed and verified.

    Upcoming
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    Popular vote

    24 November-9 December 2026

    Public voting names a Top Scorer and Regional Champions.

    Upcoming
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    Finalists announced

    10 December 2026

    Finalists, Popular Vote and Regional Champions are posted.

    Upcoming
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    Winner announced

    TBD

    Date to be determined by the sponsor.

    Upcoming
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    Eligibility and requirements

    • Age 13 by 11 May 2026

    • Not yet 19 on 1 October 2026

    • Individual entries only

    • Parent or guardian permission for minors

    • English submissions only

    • Not a previous Challenge winner

    • Not from comprehensively sanctioned regions

    • One entry per person

    Cost, funding, and what's included

    Entry cost

    Free — No purchase or payment necessary.

    How to enter

    1. 1

      Sign up for an account on the Breakthrough Junior Challenge website.

    2. 2

      Complete your profile and application questions about yourself, school and chosen topic.

    3. 3

      Upload the required photo and age-verification ID information.

    4. 4

      Create and upload an English-language video explaining a mathematics, life sciences or physics concept.

    5. 5

      Name a teacher who inspired your interest in science or mathematics.

    6. 6

      Submit the application and video through the online application panel.

    7. 7

      Complete at least five peer-to-peer reviews after submissions are distributed.

    Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.

    Start your entry checklist

    Competition prompts / questions

    Choose one question from your selected subject area. Succeed shows a small preview here, but always check the current competition instructions before writing.

    Q1.Explain an important, challenging theory, concept, or principle in physics.

    Submission requirements

    Your entry should be an original individual science explainer and must fit the Challenge's subject areas and content rules.

    • Video no longer than 2:00

    • English application and video

    • Original work by the entrant

    • One entry per participant

    • Physics, life sciences or mathematics topic

    • No group submissions

    • Profile and application questions completed

    • Age-verification ID information

    • At least five peer reviews

    • Application answers up to 250 words each

    Prizes & recognition

    Winner scholarship

    The winner receives a post-secondary scholarship for approved education-related expenses.

    Teacher prize

    The winner names an inspiring science or mathematics teacher to receive the prize.

    Science lab

    The winner's school receives approved renovations or addition of a Breakthrough Science Lab.

    What this may help with

    showing STEM communication, independent learning and creative explanation.

    What it does not guarantee

    university admission, scholarships outside the Challenge, or selection for other science programmes.

    Judging criteria

    • Engagement: captures interest and keeps viewers watching.
    • Illumination: explains the subject clearly and rigorously.
    • Creativity: approaches the subject in an inventive way.
    • Difficulty: tackles challenging material at high-school level or beyond.

    Each criterion uses a 5-point scale; separate percentage weighting is not published.

    How to stand out

    1. Pick one challenging concept and build the whole video around a single clear insight.
    2. Use visuals because they clarify the science, not because they look impressive.
    3. Show the viewer why the concept matters before moving into technical detail.
    4. Avoid a lecture style; make the explanation dynamic through examples, demonstrations or narrative structure.
    5. Check every scientific claim before polishing the edit.
    6. Practise explaining the video topic aloud so the final script sounds natural and precise.

    Frequently asked questions

    Alternatives to Breakthrough Junior Challenge

    Students interested in STEM communication may also compare essay and problem-solving competitions that reward clear thinking and independent argument.

    Alternatives

    2026 Global Essay Prize
    Recently closed

    Independent essays beyond the school curriculum

    Philosophy
    31 May 2026
    Free
    Up to 18

    Best for

    Students who want to show rigorous written thinking.

    View details

    Save this competition in Succeed to compare it with other essay prizes, deadlines and entry formats in one place.

    Compare with other competitions

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Breakthrough Junior Challenge
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    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 3 Jul 2026)

    • Official rules checked

    • Deadline verified

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Submission format checked

    • Judging criteria reviewed

    • Prize details checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current submission instructions before entering.